WELCOME, N.C. (APRIL 17, 2013) – Richard Childress Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Camping World Truck Series teams will carry decals honoring the memory of an ECR Engines co-worker this week at Kansas Speedway.
Joey Padgett, a valve train specialist at ECR Engines, passed away April 15 after suffering a heart attack. He was 57.
Padgett had an extensive engine building career in NASCAR. He plied his craft with various companies including Ernie Elliott, Inc., Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, and Penske Racing before moving to ECR Engines in September 2012. He was also the owner/operator of Checkered Flag Fuels in Concord, N.C., where he was a lifelong resident.
Memorials may be made to Cabarrus Pets Society, P.O. Box 5042, Concord, N.C. 28027. Online condolences may be left at wilkinsonfuneralhome.com. Wilkinson Funeral Home is serving the family.
About Richard Childress Racing
Richard Childress Racing (www.rcrracing.com) has earned more than 200 victories and 14 championships, including six in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Its 2013 Sprint Cup Series lineup includes Paul Menard (No. 27 Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 Budweiser/Rheem/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Caterpillar/Cheerios Chevrolet). Its Nationwide Series program includes Brian Scott (No. 2 Shore Lodge/Armour Vienna Sausage/Fast Fixin’/Charter/Husky Liners Chevrolet), 2012 Nationwide Series rookie of the year Austin Dillon (No. 3 AdvoCare Chevrolet) and an all-star driver lineup on the No. 33 Menards/Rheem/WESCO/Armour Vienna Sausage/Hunt Brothers Pizza/Fast Fixin’ Chevrolet team. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series program will consist of 2012 Camping World Truck Series rookie of the year Ty Dillon (No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet) and Brendan Gaughan (No. 62 South Point Hotel & Casino Chevrolet).